SAFE SPACES Occupational therapy is for everyone
O
ver the last few years three affinity groups have been created to support underrepresented communities within the occupational therapy profession. 2020 saw the founding of BAMEOTUK, and this inspired the formation of LGBTQIA+OTUK and ABLEOTUK in 2021. These groups represent and support their communities by offering safe spaces to openly discuss concerns, receive mentorship from other members, network with peers and knowledge share through seminars or discussion groups. The groups are open to practising OTs, students, and educators, and they have been providing vital support to members, as well as raising awareness of the inequalities and discrimination that still exist in the profession. If you identify with any of these groups, please do seek them out on Twitter or visit AffinOT.co.uk to find out more. We have included a brief overview of each of the groups below.
BAMEOTUK NETWORK BAMEOTUK is the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Students and Educators Network. The network was created in June 2020 following the death of George Floyd in America and the historic protests that followed, raising awareness of the racism and discrimination that still exist in our society, and within the OT profession. This network aims to create change through establishing a space of discussion, support, activism, teaching and learning, outreach education, mentorship and partnership working. They act in the pursuit of equal opportunities, equity, justice, diversity and belonging. Regular network meetings are run monthly over Zoom, taking place on the third Wednesday or Thursday of
each month. Meetings cycle three themes: 1 CPD session 2 Catch-up, support and general discussion 3 Healing session To join any of the meetings, simply visit BAMEOT.uk and fill in the form on the homepage. Follow @BAMEOTUK
LGBTQIA+OTUK Officially formed in June 2021, the LGBTQIA+OTUK group exists to allow members to connect, share, learn, and celebrate all things LGBTQIA+. The group has been crucial in increasing representation within the profession and is open to all OTs, OT students, OT assistants and OT educators, and allies of the community. In representing their community, this group has offered a safe space for individuals in the profession to be their full authentic selves, and it continues to drive the profession forward in this arena.
ABLEOTUK
AbleOTUK is a network and advocacy group that exists to represent UK-based occupational therapists living with disabilities and long-term health conditions. The group was officially launched in July 2021 founded by a group of OTs with lived experience of disability. AbleOTUK aims to tackle ableism within the profession and educate others on the impact of this. They are developing resources on a range of topics including disclosure of a disability or health condition, and supporting OT colleagues who identify as disabled, as well as collaborating with RCOT to progress an anti-discriminatory culture within the profession. You will find monthly Zoom sessions arranged as a closed safe space for members to share and gain peer support to process experiences and challenges. They take place on the third Thursday of every month. Find out more at AffinOT.co.uk/ AbleOTUK. Follow @AbleOTUK
They host a monthly online event called Connect, which is a closed peer connection space for UK-based LGBTQIA+ OTs. This event is held over Zoom on the last Monday of every month at 7pm, you can email lgbtqiaplusot@gmail.com or visit AffinOT.co.uk/LGBTQIAOTUK to sign up to the mailing list. Follow @LGBTQIAOTUK
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